How to keep rabbits out of your vegetable garden

Rabbits may be cute, but in your garden, they’re unwelcome trespassers. Here are four ways to keep these rodents from nibbling on your vegetables.

1. Fences. Install a mesh wire fence around your vegetable garden. It should be at least two to three feet high to prevent rabbits from jumping over and extend at least one foot below ground to discourage them from burrowing underneath.

2. Chemical repellents. Chemical repellents that emit unpleasant odors will deter rabbits from entering your garden. Keep in mind that some repellents are highly toxic and may not be safe to use on vegetables.

3. Ultrasonic repellents. Ultrasonic repellents release high-pitched noises that perturb small mammals but can’t be detected by human ears. Noise repellents may stop rabbits from settling in your yard.

4. Cages. Use humane traps to catch the rabbits and release them far away from your property. But proceed with caution: rabbits are wild animals that can carry diseases and it’s usually best to call a pest control professional to trap them.

If none of these solutions work, visit your local garden center for professional advice on how to keep pests out of your vegetable patch.